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How to survive the relentless greyness of January

There is no escaping the endless parade of grey, rainy, and cold days of a winter in the Northwest . . .

Even as I notice nature's hopeful signs of approaching Spring, the persistent grey blanket of weather wears me down. No amount of snowshoeing on brilliant mountaintops, observing the new green shoots coming on, and no amount of vicariously enjoying the travel blogs of folks in sunnier climes can lift me out of this sodden, mossy, grey funk.

Every year Portland hosts the Chocolate Fest, a benefit for the World Forestry Center. Chocolate fest is over 85 vendors of fine chocolate, wine, beer and even boutique vinegars all providing little samples of pure sunshine and joy.

If you think you know something about chocolate - think again. Unroasted, organic, infused with everything from sea salt to citrus and beyond, every chocolatier has something different and scrumptious. Habanero, jalapeno, and cayenne are very big and will definitely clear your sinuses while delighting your palate.

Photo from the Chocolate Fest site - but I'm down there somewhere.

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Now, I think I can make it until Spring . . .

After several hours of sampling, a few judicious purchases - Habanero dark chocolate caramels with sea salt; Lime Cilantro White Chocolate, and some amazing truffles from Arrowhead Chocolates - I feel I might just make it to Spring - or at least until Spring camping. Hmmm . . . . I could go camping over at Wallowa Lake State Park - which, coincidently, is very close to Arrowhead Chocolates.

About Me

I am retired and exploring my creative, right brain through drawing and watercolor. Also, traveling with my little travel trailer (hence the Right Lane) to spend as much time as possible hiking in big tree forests, red rock deserts and paddling the clear saltwater shorelines of the Pacific Northwest.